The 30th anniversary of January 13th in Lithuania, as well as the current events in Belarus, constantly remind us that freedom and its aspirations must be constantly fostered and safeguarded.

Feb. 4th, 2021, you are invited to an international virtual forum, “Liberty and Freedom: Tadas Kościuszko’s Legacy”. The event will commemorate the 275th anniversary of the birth of a Polish-Lithuanian-Belarusian-American hero – Tadas Kościuszko. Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, the United States – these are all countries that are united by Kościuszko’s Legacy”. He fought for the freedom of these 4 nations. The motto of the event is (“Bridges for Freedom”).

The aim of the International Forum is to discuss how the common values of the participating nations can contribute to the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe (and the world), highlighting the legacy of Tadas Kościuszko’s aspirations for freedom, in light of the Belarusian struggle against dictatorship and the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Baltic countries and emphasizing the aspirations of freedom as a common European and U.S. path.

Experts from law, politics, history and human rights from the U.S., European countries, and other regions will speak at the international forum. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Cichanouskaja will participate along with the First Polish Prime Minister Hanna Suchocka, the President of the European Court of Justice Koen Lenaerts, German MP Karl Lamers, U.S. security expert Ian Brzezinski and many others. The forum program includes 4 sessions that will reveal the legacy of Tadas Kościuszko in a contemporary context, where freedom is inseparable from historical memory, international security, the rule of law and social innovation.

Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania) is organizing the International Forum along with Columbia University’s Harriman Institute (U.S.) and the European Humanities University (Belarus-Lithuania). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania is a sponsor of the event. Lithuanian Radio and Television is a communication partner.

Discussions will be held remotely – it will be possible to view the event online virtually and to access discussion rooms, listen to discussions, write comments. The event will be in English.

The event will be held on Feb. 4th, 14:00-19:00 hrs. You are invited to participate.

Registration and event programme can be found here.

It will be possible to view the event live on the LRT.lt news portal.

More information by email: Bridges4Freedom@forum.com